BNIM Announces New Associate Principals and Associates
BNIM is excited to announce the advancement of two new Associate Principals and two new Associates within our practice.
Our firm’s new Associates and Associate Principals are recognized for their excellence in human-purposed and high-performance design, practice initiatives, mentorship, creative problem solving, active professional and community involvement, and the positive impact they have on our clients, communities, and AEC industry. These employee-owners represent a range of disciplines at BNIM and have demonstrated exemplary leadership across the firm. Carleigh, Mallory, Adam, and Elvis embody BNIM’s core values and purpose through their work each day, inspiring change and enhancing the human condition.
Associate Principals
Elvis Achelpohl, AIA, is an architect in BNIM’s Kansas City studio, who has over 16 years of experience in the architectural field. He has a passion for design excellence and a deep commitment to the Kansas City community, culture, and the arts. Elvis has held a role in some of BNIM’s most meaningful and complex projects, including the Zhou B Art Center; Reconciliation Services; West Bottoms Flats; 10th and Wyandotte Parking Garage; REACH Expansion at the John F. Kennedy Center; and Princeton University Lewis Center for the Arts. Elvis is a trusted leader and mentor across the firm, who has held an active role in business development initiatives at BNIM. He is also a dedicated educator, teaching BNIM’s architecture studio at Kansas State University and guiding the next generation of architects. Elvis is currently serving a Board President of the Charlotte Street Foundation, bridging his work in both architecture and the arts, supporting cultural initiatives and artists, and championing a more vibrant and inclusive local arts community in Kansas City.
Adam Wiechman, ASLA, PLA, is a landscape architect in BNIM’s Kansas City studio, who has been practicing landscape architecture for 25 years. In his time with BNIM, Adam has served as a steadfast leader of BNIM’s Landscape practice, for which he has led significant and award-winning landscape projects across studios, encompassing a broad range of project scales, scopes, and types while serving as both a Landscape Project Architect and Project Manager. His work has included the Pacific Center Campus Development; Kansas City Water Services Outdoor Campus; West Bottoms Flats; Blunt Hall Addition and Renovation at Missouri State University; Springfield Art Museum Renovation and Expansion; and Zhou B Art Center. Adam brings a wealth of knowledge to BNIM’s practice in landscape solutions and sustainable site strategies, from design to documentation to specifications writing. Adam is committed to integrating building and landscape cohesively to achieve design excellence, and he engages with clients and team members with a spirit of enthusiasm, trust, respect, and collaboration.
Associates
Carleigh Pope, RA, NOMA, NCARB, is an architect in BNIM’s Des Moines studio. Carleigh began her time at BNIM as an intern and an architectural student, and she became an integral member of the design team for the adaptive reuse of Charity Hospital in New Orleans, LA. Carleigh then joined our practice full-time following her studies at Kansas State University, where she earned her Master of Architecture. Her project contributions include the addition and renovation to Blunt Hall at Missouri State University, Charity Hospital Adaptive Reuse and Redevelopment, Marquette University O’Brien Hall, Iowa Advanced Technology Laboratories (IATL) Renovation and Addition at University of Iowa, and Lutheran Church of Hope – West Des Moines. Carleigh is committed to advancing architectural practice, both through her work at BNIM and through her significant professional and community involvement with NOMA and their outreach initiatives such as Project Pipeline and the HBCU Professional Development Program. She is a champion for growing diversity in the field of architecture, leading with a spirit of empathy and a determination to shape the AEC industry. She embodies all of the qualities and characteristics of a BNIM Associate.
Mallory Fergason, is a graphic designer in BNIM’s Kansas City studio. Mallory first started at BNIM as an intern and graphic design student during her time at Park University, where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Marketing. Since joining our practice as a graphic designer, Mallory has served as a key member of BNIM’s business development team, for which she leads graphic design, brand storytelling, and strategic insight for firm business development initiatives. Mallory was instrumental in helping envision, build, and continuously refine our firm’s highly functional, intuitive, beautiful, and comprehensive new website. Through this work, she combined design savvy with a thoughtful and inclusive approach to user experience, research, content management, and business insights. Mallory also oversees her team’s internship program, serving as a mentor to young design professionals. As a new Associate, her creativity, analytical rigor, and collaborative spirit will continue shape our practice for the future.